The Decline and Fall of Automotive Journalism
Posted by freedomforall 2 years, 2 months ago to Politics
Excerpt:
"“Mainstream” – that is, corporate – journalism died when it was bought, as by the drug cartels (Kudos, Woody Harrelson). Car journalism fell victim to the same forces, which homogenized journalists, often in the name of superficial “diversity.” Too many men, many of whom drank and smoke and – worst of all – were white and straight. The corporations said: More women! Because they were women. Not because they could write. Not because they knew cars.
So why were they being hired to write about cars?
Well, because some of them had big . . .
I mean that literally because factually. I saw it. Not meaning the . . . but the rest of it.
One of the first “diversity” hires I witnessed hired was a woman who was put into the not-driver’s seat at USA Today, back when people still read it (this was the ’90s). She had as much business writing about cars as Liberace had writing about dating. Well, women. But she did have something. Two of them. So she was given – literally – the job and the rest of us guys watched and marveled, which was foolish of us, in the manner of watching and marveling at the sight of the tide receding from the beach, the water drawing back, far out to sea."
"“Mainstream” – that is, corporate – journalism died when it was bought, as by the drug cartels (Kudos, Woody Harrelson). Car journalism fell victim to the same forces, which homogenized journalists, often in the name of superficial “diversity.” Too many men, many of whom drank and smoke and – worst of all – were white and straight. The corporations said: More women! Because they were women. Not because they could write. Not because they knew cars.
So why were they being hired to write about cars?
Well, because some of them had big . . .
I mean that literally because factually. I saw it. Not meaning the . . . but the rest of it.
One of the first “diversity” hires I witnessed hired was a woman who was put into the not-driver’s seat at USA Today, back when people still read it (this was the ’90s). She had as much business writing about cars as Liberace had writing about dating. Well, women. But she did have something. Two of them. So she was given – literally – the job and the rest of us guys watched and marveled, which was foolish of us, in the manner of watching and marveling at the sight of the tide receding from the beach, the water drawing back, far out to sea."
All the US fed gov regs on autos are unconstitutional.
They exist to financially benefit insiders that pay off government for favors, e.g., insurance companies.
Agreed, carbon emissions in cars and trucks (1990's and newer) are complete BS.
Women have their own magazines if female 'writers' want to write their 'feelings' about cars.
Women who love cars can write their opinions just like men who love cars - in the opinion letters section
(or online.) Magazine editors should hire based on merit, not gender, sexual preference, or politics.
Women- it is ok for an article by a women to put forward what is the typical women's view on motoring or a particular model, if views are stereotypical still ok as humor. Women make what percent of car buying decisions- 40% ?
10 years ago Motor magazine Australia published an article on a car from the gangster perspective. The gangster could have been legit, the car was the Chrysler 300C, big, square, big motor, high sills, usually black..
In the news, the UK Centurion tank, Motor did a review on that, fuel consumption was one of many reasons it would not make a good daily driver, apparently.
Yes.. too many opinions now in the motor press mention emissions. If nitrous/ sulfur oxides then yes, if carbon emissions, BS.
after these 65+ yrs.
That was back in the day of pathetic bottom end torque and narrow power bands for turbo / small engine cars. Those days are over. I drive a Focus RS, with a 350 hp/350 ft-lb 2.3 engine, with a FLAT torque curve. It handles like a go-cart on rails. I have zero interest in the new 600-700 hp supercharged pony cars.
Edit add: I loved the look of those Mercs. If I recall they had a "mafia sized" trunk, too.
Gee I hadn't noticed....I better go check right now.
yipppeee!!!!
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